Introduction to Computational Thinking for University Students

2019 ◽  
pp. 200-209
Author(s):  
Zsuzsa Pluhár ◽  
Hajnalka Torma
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Computational Thinking

scholarly journals Digital Competence and Computational Thinking of Student Teachers

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (02) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Francesc M. Esteve-Mon ◽  
M. Ángeles Llopis ◽  
Jordi Adell-Segura
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
The Other ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Gender Gaps ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Relationship

Digital competence is one of the most demanded skills, and includes, among other aspects, the use of technological, informational, multimedia or communication skills and knowledge. In recent years, different institutions have included computational thinking among the different areas that make up this digital competence. However, there are few publications that deepen the relationship between computational thinking and digital competence. The present study analyzes the level of digital competence and computa-tional thinking of 248 Spanish university students, exploring the relation-ships between both abilities and the existing differences. According to the results, the majority of the students perceive themselves with a medium to a high level of digital competence, highlighting the multimedia and commu-nicative dimensions, as opposed to the more technological aspects. On the other hand, there is a correlation between computational thinking and digi-tal competence, especially with the communicative and technological areas. Likewise, the results indicate that women obtain lower results in their computational thinking and are perceived to be digitally less competent than men, especially in regard to the technological dimension. These results provide relevant information in terms of research and open the door to the development of training actions in student teachers to overcome the still-existing gender gaps.

scholarly journals The Children’s Congress: A Benefit to All Levels of Schooling by Strengthening Computational Thinking

2020 ◽  
pp. 241-246
Author(s):  
Sara Hinterplattner ◽  
◽  
Jakob S. Skogø ◽  
Corinna Kröhn ◽  
Barbara Sabitzer
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Honors Students ◽  
Project Work ◽  
Johannes Kepler ◽  
Life Problems ◽  
The University

The Children’s Congress is an event, developed to meet a demand for strengthening computational thinking and to increase the interest in STEAM subjects. This congress brings teachers, university students and pupils together to work interdisciplinary on real-life problems. During these proceedings, the pupils slip into the role of researchers and scientists, supported by their teachers, university staff and university students. In every project team, at least one student from the Honors program of the Johannes Kepler University in Linz takes part. This support helps the pupils both in their projects and in their personal development, through mentoring by the talent students of the university. To find out more about these benefits and to improve the congress for the next years the Honors students were asked to give feedback after the congress. In these interviews, the Honors students described the Children’s Congress as a very inspiring and motivating project for all the participants. The results show that the students experienced a lot of appreciation through the work with the pupils, and that they faced many new challenges. They see many benefits for the pupils, starting from the increasing academical knowledge to skills like team- and time management. Furthermore, the benefit of getting used to computational thinking was described. Besides the advantages for the pupils, benefits for teachers were mentioned. Overall, the results show that the Children’s Congress successfully combines computational thinking, real-life problems, interdisciplinarity, project work and mentoring, benefitting all participants involved.

scholarly journals Computational thinking development and assessment through tabletop escape games

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 3-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Menon ◽  
Margarida Romero ◽  
Thierry Viéville
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Game Based Learning ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Board Games ◽  
Analytical Review ◽  
K 12

The development and assessment of computational thinking (CT) is garnering a lot of attention and research since the last decade. However, the learning of CT is perceived as a time-consuming and frustrating experience by many K-12 and university students. Hence, educators are coming up with various methodologies to make CT both accessible and engaging for learners, thus leading to a spurt in various game-based learning (GBL) approaches in this field, ranging from board games to educational robotic games. This paper strives to evaluate existing escape games aiming to develop CT based on their systematic analysis according to the CT competency components. The authors conducted an analytical review of three tabletop escape games in CT to identify CT components and subcomponents developed through these games. The use of tabletop escape games from a pedagogical perspective to develop CT among learners is discussed based on the results of the analysis to identify their current limits. This also covers the design aspects to be considered for the development of a CT-based educational escape game to support and evaluate this competency and its components.

Effects of LEGO robotic on freshmen students' computational thinking and programming learning attitudes in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Weng ◽  
Isaac Manyonge Matere ◽  
Chih-Hsien Hsia ◽  
Mei-Yen Wang ◽  
Apollo Weng
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
University Students ◽  
Computational Thinking ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Attitude ◽  
Learning Attitudes ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Programming Knowledge

PurposeAdvancements in technology require that everyone is skilled with computational thinking (CT), problem-solving and computer programming skills. This study aims to examine the development of CT in problem-solving skills (PSS) and programming learning attitude by integrating LEGO robotics kits in a project-based learning course.Design/methodology/approachThis study examines the development of CT in PSS and programming learning attitude by integrating LEGO robotics kits in a project-based learning course. This study consists of a single group pre-post-test research design with 32 freshmen university students. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by pre-post-tests and recording of classroom discussions, respectively.FindingsTherefore, this finding implies that robotics can be used to develop CT in university students; however, there is a need for designing curricula with advanced robotic kits as artificial intelligence (AI) has become more prevalent. Hence, programming knowledge learned will help students to understand the application of robots in AI.Originality/valueThe study creates educators' awareness that CT skills might be developed in freshmen university students through robotics. However, many still consider them toys rather than learning aids.

Viewing music videos: Emotion and viewer interpretation

2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan M. Preston ◽  
Michael Eden
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Emotional Content ◽  
Music Videos ◽  
Music Video ◽  
Mediating Factors ◽  
Comparative Media

Abstract. Music video (MV) content is frequently measured using researcher descriptions. This study examines subjective or viewers’ notions of sex and violence. 168 university students watched 9 mainstream MVs. Incidence counts of sex and violence involve more mediating factors than ratings. High incidents are associated with older viewers, higher scores for Expressivity, lower scores for Instrumentality, and with video orders beginning with high sex and violence. Ratings of sex and violence are associated with older viewers and lower scores for Instrumentality. For sex MVs, inexperienced viewers reported higher incidents and ratings. Because MVs tend to be sexier but less violent than TV and film, viewers may also use comparative media standards to evaluate emotional content MVs.

Emotion Appraisals Predict Neuroticism and Extraversion

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Andrew Comensoli ◽  
Carolyn MacCann
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
The State ◽  
The Relationship

The current study proposes and refines the Appraisals in Personality (AIP) model in a multilevel investigation of whether appraisal dimensions of emotion predict differences in state neuroticism and extraversion. University students (N = 151) completed a five-factor measure of trait personality, and retrospectively reported seven situations from the previous week, giving state personality and appraisal ratings for each situation. Results indicated that: (a) trait neuroticism and extraversion predicted average levels of state neuroticism and extraversion respectively, and (b) five of the examined appraisal dimensions predicted one, or both of the state neuroticism and extraversion personality domains. However, trait personality did not moderate the relationship between appraisals and state personality. It is concluded that appraisal dimensions of emotion may provide a useful taxonomy for quantifying and comparing situations, and predicting state personality.

Assessing Personality With Multi-Descriptor Items

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-125
Author(s):  
Johannes Schult ◽  
Rebecca Schneider ◽  
Jörn R. Sparfeldt
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Big Five ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Personality Inventory ◽  
The Other ◽  
Short Version ◽  
Big Five Inventory ◽  
Personality Inventories

Abstract. The need for efficient personality inventories has led to the wide use of short instruments. The corresponding items often contain multiple, potentially conflicting descriptors within one item. In Study 1 ( N = 198 university students), the reliability and validity of the TIPI (Ten-Item Personality Inventory) was compared with the reliability and validity of a modified TIPI based on items that rephrased each two-descriptor item into two single-descriptor items. In Study 2 ( N = 268 university students), we administered the BFI-10 (Big Five Inventory short version) and a similarly modified version of the BFI-10 without two-descriptor items. In both studies, reliability and construct validity values occasionally improved for separated multi-descriptor items. The inventories with multi-descriptor items showed shortcomings in some factors of the TIPI and the BFI-10. However, the other scales worked comparably well in the original and modified inventories. The limitations of short personality inventories with multi-descriptor items are discussed.

Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Among British Female University Students

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viren Swami ◽  
Angela Nogueira Campana ◽  
Rebecca Coles
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Ethnic Differences ◽  
Cosmetic Surgery ◽  
South Asians ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Body Appreciation ◽  
African Caribbean

Although patients of cosmetic surgery are increasingly ethnically diverse, previous studies have not examined ethnic differences in attitudinal dispositions toward cosmetic surgery. In the present study, 751 British female university students from three ethnic groups (Caucasians, South Asians, and African Caribbeans) completed measures of acceptance of cosmetic surgery, body appreciation, self-esteem, and demographic variables. Initial between-group analyses showed that Caucasians had lower body appreciation and self-esteem than Asian and African Caribbean participants. Importantly, Caucasians had higher acceptance of cosmetic surgery than their ethnic minority counterparts, even after controlling for body appreciation, self-esteem, age, and body mass index. Further analyses showed that ethnicity accounted for a small proportion of the variance in acceptance of cosmetic surgery, with body appreciation and self-esteem emerging as stronger predictors. Possible reasons for ethnic differences in acceptance of cosmetic surgery are discussed in Conclusion.

Challenging the Multidimensional Conception of Perceived Person-Environment Fit

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Julian M. Etzel ◽  
Gabriel Nagy
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
University Students ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Substantial Proportion ◽  
Unique Variance ◽  
First Order ◽  
Person Environment Fit ◽  
Order Factor

Abstract. In the current study, we examined the viability of a multidimensional conception of perceived person-environment (P-E) fit in higher education. We introduce an optimized 12-item measure that distinguishes between four content dimensions of perceived P-E fit: interest-contents (I-C) fit, needs-supplies (N-S) fit, demands-abilities (D-A) fit, and values-culture (V-C) fit. The central aim of our study was to examine whether the relationships between different P-E fit dimensions and educational outcomes can be accounted for by a higher-order factor that captures the shared features of the four fit dimensions. Relying on a large sample of university students in Germany, we found that students distinguish between the proposed fit dimensions. The respective first-order factors shared a substantial proportion of variance and conformed to a higher-order factor model. Using a newly developed factor extension procedure, we found that the relationships between the first-order factors and most outcomes were not fully accounted for by the higher-order factor. Rather, with the exception of V-C fit, all specific P-E fit factors that represent the first-order factors’ unique variance showed reliable and theoretically plausible relationships with different outcomes. These findings support the viability of a multidimensional conceptualization of P-E fit and the validity of our adapted instrument.

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